Saturday, December 31, 2011
Horse-shoe shaped kitchens (link)
Sometimes you have to settle for a kitchen like this, but my kitchen is a galley kitchen with doorways at both ends. I don't like being trapped in a kitchen full of people--and pets--with no way to escape...
Sparkle note: If you drag a treat from the box, and click on it again, Sparkle will jump up and catch it!
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Sofa pillow samples (link)
Frankly, I'd start fresh with a different style and different colors, but the photos may help you decide on color combinations in your home.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Free ebooks for Christmas!
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Walk-in closet design ideas (link)
They can include shelves, drawers, doors, cubbies, niches, shoe racks, bins and baskets, seating--and color--and even fancy windows.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Christmas movie homes (link)
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Kitchen storage (link)
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Get an e-book for Christmas!
And including its sequel, Hot Yellow Planet, would save them the trouble of tracking it down at: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/94029
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Decorating ideas
Another idea involving books (remember the woman who collected books with red covers?) has a blue and ivory-painted secretary full of books with blue covers (p 49). That is beautiful! The same home, however, has a room full of large patterned fabrics (duvet and pillows). Too big and busy.
Their recipe selection includes a meat loaf and mashed potatoes sandwich. Much as I love meat loaf and mashed potatoes, I don't want them combined--unless it's something like Shepherd's Pie.
Sparkle note: If you drag a treat from the box, and click on it again, Sparkle will jump up and catch it!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Christmas decorating and design ideas (link)
Our home is full of Christmas bows, bells, cards, etc., and the wreath on the front door is so big, I had to go out and buy a yard sign at the hardware store to put our house numbers on.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Christmas cards and newsletters

I have some fun Christmas cards that I usually send, including sabre tooth kittens playing amongst a shepherd and his sheep and unicorns. Thank you, Tiger Moon Press. (She added the tigers for me.) These all go out by snail mail, btw, so I can add enclosures and use stickers from my sticker collection.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Kitchen cabinets (links)
Link: Cabinet Types: Which Is Best for You? : Kitchen Remodeling : HGTV Remodels
Sparkle note: If you drag a treat from the box, and click on it again, Sparkle will jump up and catch it!
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Glass countertops (link)
Monday, December 5, 2011
Remodeling: Buying and Updating a Foreclosure (review)
An eBook on Buying, Remodeling, and Real Estate
Joy V. Smith’s recently released ebook, Remodeling: Buying and Updating a Foreclosure, is creating a wave of comfort in today’s stormy market of defaults and foreclosures. And, it turns out, it’s also an unexpected shot in the arm for those pursuing a real estate license or a real estate continuing education.
Remodeling is a close-up account of how one woman and her family navigated the tricky sailing of selling a house, looking for and buying a new one, and, ultimately, completely renovating it. It sets the model for anyone who’s thinking of braving the daunting task of acquiring a foreclosed house and turning it into a home—even if the house came originally without a sink. It also points the way forward for those looking to have a career in real estate.
Here’s how the buyer did the story from one buyer’s point of view:
Our home was on the market for a few years because we weren’t in a hurry. We loved our house, but wanted to downsize from five acres to less than an acre. We dropped our price a few times and finally got a good offer, though it was less than our current asking price. However, it was for cash. This, of course, makes buying simpler because you don’t have to apply for a mortgage. On the other hand, we couldn’t afford to build, which we would have preferred. We were told that because of all the cheap homes on the market we could get a good deal. Right. Well, fortunately it didn’t take us very long to close, look, and buy; of course, once we sold, we didn’t have a lot of time to look at short sales, since that can take months! We found a house we liked, but it needed lots of work. Find out how we did it and what you should look for.
Remodeling: Buying and Updating a Foreclosure beckons to anyone coping with a remodeling project—whether you’re an ordinary house owner in Conneticut, an aspiring agent looking to get a real estate continuing education or an out-of-town broker trying to land a New York real estate license.
Link: TheAnalyst - Best Apple App for Real Estate Practitioners agentcampus.com
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Gas fireplaces (link)
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
NaNoWriMo winner in 2011!
Friday, November 25, 2011
Home design ideas
Another idea I appreciated in this issue was a cut out in the wall between the kitchen and dining room. We considered it in our remodel, but decided agains it because of the cost. (We couldn't rebuild the whole house!) Anyway, we would have lost part of a wall that we're using, and I do not like the look at all, though possibly it could be done better....
And I love that new color for hardware--caramel bronze (Amerock).
Note: To learn more about my home remodel, check out my e-book:
Remodeling: Buying and Updating a Foreclosure: Amazon.com: Remodeling: Buying and Updating a Foreclosure eBook: Joy Smith: Kindle Store
Or: Smashwords - Remodeling: Buying and Updating a Foreclosure - A book by Joy Smith
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Decorating and entertaining ideas
Sparkle note: If you drag a treat from the box, and click on it again, Sparkle will jump up and catch it!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Pretty Pink Planet (free ebook)
Pretty Pink Planet link: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/93615
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Homes for Gnomes
Friday, November 11, 2011
Hot Yellow Planet
Hot Yellow Planet is now available on more e-readers. In this sequel to Pretty Pink Planet, Lori and Chiing continue their adventures, meeting up with Chameleons, Ghosters, Splurts, and other aliens and humans.
Look for it on: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/94029And Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Hot-Yellow-Planet-ebook/dp/B005TCN9UC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1318279993&sr=1-1
Pretty Pink Planet , which introduces Lori and Chiing, is a free e-book:
It's available FREE on:
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Dining room decor ideas (link)
Sparkle note: If you drag a treat from the box, and click on it again, Sparkle will jump up and catch it!
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Tropical Storm Sean
Update (11-9): TS Sean is heading north and expected to become a category 1 hurricane.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Remodeling books
"Designing Your Dream Home: Every Question to Ask, Every Detail to Consider, and Everything to Know Before You Build or Remodel" by Susan Lang
"Staying Put: Remodel Your House to Get the Home You Want" (released on November 15, 2011) by Duo Dickinson
And don't forget my remodeling e-book:
Remodeling: Buying and Updating a Foreclosure: Amazon.com: Remodeling: Buying and Updating a Foreclosure eBook: Joy Smith: Kindle Store
Or: Smashwords - Remodeling: Buying and Updating a Foreclosure - A book by Joy Smith
Sparkle note: If you drag a treat from the box, and click on it again, Sparkle will jump up and catch it!
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Pretty Pink Planet review
Friday, October 28, 2011
WOW! Women on Writing
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Decorating with vintage textiles (link)
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Pretty Pink Planet review (from Amazon)
Smith has an uncanny talent for portraying quirky aliens, who are both strange and familiar at the same time--or more precisely, the familiar turns suddenly eerie in this story. Lori's alien companion and translator, Chiing, is both amusing and seriously mysterious. Warning: Once you've read Pretty Pink Planet, you'll want to continue the adventures with Lori and her alien companion Chiing in Hot Yellow Planet, which is also available for science fiction readers who are fascinated by intelligent alien life."
Pretty Pink Planet is available free from Smashwords (Nook, etc.): http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/93615
And Amazon (if you click the I can find it cheaper elsewhere button): http://www.amazon.com/Pretty-Pink-Planet-ebook/dp/B005RI53KC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1317610193&sr=1-1
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
"Where we love is home, ..."
I love this quote from the November issue of Country Living, which also has Thanksgiving recipes, along with lovely home and decorating ideas, an article on America's Most Popular Silver Patterns, and more. One of the recipes is for Pumpkin Goat Cheese Cheesecake with a sour cream and honey topping. It looks luscious!
Monday, October 24, 2011
Hurricane Rina
Update (10-25): Rina is heading west and is now a cat 2 and may become a cat 3 soon. The big U turn is a little more north now.
Update (10-27): I forgot to post an update yesterday when Rina had dropped back to a cat 1 and wasn't expected to strengthen. Now she's a tropical storm, but we are getting some clouds from the system.
Update (10-28): Rina's just a tropical system now, and will be turning back south. (Odd path!) Florida's getting some rain from Rina's remnants now, and hopefully more 'cause we really need it.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Home decorating ideas
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Design styles (link)
I appreciate most of these styles, including Art Deco, Arts & Crafts, and Asian, but my personal style is eclectic--and practical ('cause of the dogs).
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Universal design (link)
Any time you remodel would be a good time to think about these principles to make the house user friendly now and in the future.
Sparkle note: If you drag a treat from the box, and click on it again, Sparkle will jump up and catch it!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Planning a kitchen remodel? (Link)
You have to think about your needs, resale value, etc. If I had to do my kitchen remodeling project over, I'd get quartz instead of granite for the countertops. I would still skip the stainless steel, which is a nuisance to clean, but get a bigger refrigerator. I've got plenty of storage, and I like my maple cabinets. I'd skip the disposal, since it has to be maintained. 'Course we've got a small compost bin (tumbler style) tucked away out back.
For more on my kitchen remodel, you can check out my e-book, Remodeling: Buying and Updating a Foreclosure: Amazon.com: Remodeling: Buying and Updating a Foreclosure eBook: Joy Smith: Kindle Store
Or: Smashwords - Remodeling: Buying and Updating a Foreclosure - A book by Joy Smith
Monday, October 17, 2011
Solar lights

Anyway, I went out last night and saw five glowing spheres! The two new mosaic ones, two old ones that don't glow as much at night any more, and the big gazing ball I got for my birthday a year or two ago--hard to put together, but worth it. And I saw my Saturn with rings glowing a bit. It doesn't have a solar panel, but sort of reflects light or something. I enjoy looking at them all when I take the dogs out.
I have three solar spheres out front too, but they don't glow like they used to; they may have been in the sun more at our old house. And I know someone who has his solar sphere in his house, where it's exposed to the sun. I never would have thought of that. They are beautiful and fun!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Pretty Pink Planet review
"The Pretty Pink Planet is quite the tourist destination, but have the developers violated intergalactic law? Is our protagonist in danger? (Of course she is.)"
Pretty Pink Planet links: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/93615
And: http://www.amazon.com/Pretty-Pink-Planet-ebook/dp/B005RI53KC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1317610193&sr=1-1
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Kitchen design ideas
Sparkle note: If you drag a treat from the box, and click on it again, Sparkle will jump up and catch it!
Monday, October 10, 2011
Hot Yellow Planet
Review: "Hot Yellow Planet is the cute sequel to Pretty Pink Planet and continues the saga of a quite diverse group of characters--human, humanoid, and "other." Lots of cool ideas here."
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Sears blog with suggestions for your home
Sparkle note: If you drag a treat from the box, and click on it again, Sparkle will jump up and catch it!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Hot Yellow Planet
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Lots of ideas for your garden in Country Gardens
Monday, October 3, 2011
Pretty Pink Planet is now available free!
If you need to access it on Kindle, look for the link that asks if you’ve seen it cheaper elsewhere.
And stay tuned for the sequel: Hot Yellow Planet
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Pretty PinK Planet
Description: Lori, an agent of SOESFOL (Search Out and Establish Sentient Forms of Life) visits Prism, a popular tourist destination, to track down planet pirates and rescue aliens, if she can find and talk to them. It's a good thing she has help...
I hope you'll enjoy this fun story. Check it out at: Amazon.com: Pretty Pink Planet eBook: Joy V. Smith: Kindle Store
Saturday, October 1, 2011
To Ignite a Fire on Enceladus (e-book) review
This updating of Jack London's To Build a Fire is combined with the London story. I love the updated story--and dog! Great opportunity to enjoy and compare them.
Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Ignite-Enceladus-L
Friday, September 30, 2011
Hurricane Ophelia
Update (10-3): Ophelia is a cat 1 now and is moving past Newfoundland.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
More decorating suggestions (link)
Embrace Every Space Home Made Simple
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Decorating advice (link)
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
More home decorating ideas
I saw an Olympic pink paint color in the issue that I really like: Bunny's Nose.
For a fantastic centerpiece or accent, plant succulents in a really big shell.
Another good idea from that issue is adding two levels of Shaker-type pegboards. Our house is full of pegboards; they're useful and can add a colorful accent, but I never thought of putting them at a lower level for children.
Oh, in a recent mail advertisement for Martha Stewart Living, they used a flower stamp (or you could use a stencil) and ran it as a garland over the headboard, the wall, and a lampshade on the bedside table. That is a fun idea!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Corraling kitchen clutter (link)
Link: KOHLER: Planning Tips: Conquer Kitchen Clutter: Kitchen: Articles
Sparkle note: If you drag a treat from the box, and click on it again, Sparkle will jump up and catch it!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Tropical Storm Phillipe
Update (9-28): TS Phillipe is moving WNW.
Update (10-3): TS Phillipe is still chugging away in the ocean.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Fall colors and decorating and fun
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Kitchen design ideas, trends, and colors (link)
Check out the tips for tiny kitchens and the romantic design trend. As for the blue kitchen, I like the tile backsplash, but not the blue wall color. The blue lights are a lovely touch. I hope they're practical.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Kitchen islands (link)
Tropical Storm Ophelia
Update (9-22): It looks as if Ophelia is going to turn north like previous storms.
Note: A weatherman said recently that out of 15 named storms, we've only had 3 hurricanes this year.
Update (9-28): It looks like Ophelia still may become a hurricane (cat 1).
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
My house e-book is a September spotlighted book!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Hidebound review
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Hurricane Maria
Update (9-16): The remnants of Maria have passed Newfoundland and are heading for Greenland, Iceland, and England. This is the first time in weeks that there is no named storm.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Kitchen remodel blog post (link)
Monday, September 12, 2011
Design Star finale
Friday, September 9, 2011
Tropical Storm Nate
Update: Nate is expected to become a category 1 before it makes landfall in Mexico.
Update (9-10): Nate is still expected to become a cat 1 just before landfall. It may curve up into Texas.
Update(9-11): Nate made landfall and went straight into Mexico. Now it's gone.
TS Katia may hit Britain in a few days as an extra-tropical storm.
TS Maria is heading west; it'll probably turn east later.
Update (9-11): TS Maria is still expected to become a cat 1 hurricane and curve out to sea.
Update (9-14): TS Maria is finally heading north and is still expected to become a hurricane.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Toad houses


Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Tropical Storm Maria
Katia is now a cat 1 and should be turning away from the east coast soon.
Nate could be forming in the Gulf. Check out the spaghetti models! Looks like the kittens have been in the yarn again.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Three ways to save on lighting
Monday, September 5, 2011
Design Star: Tiny House Challenge
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Hurricane Katia and TS Lee
Update: (9-5): Katia is now a cat 3 and still heading NW, but should be turning out to sea.
Update: Now Katia is a category 4 and still heading NW, but it should make a sharp turn away from land.
Update (9-6): Katia is now a 2 and should be making its turn one of these days.
TS Lee is heading north and then should turn east; it's expected to give Florida rain. North Florida is already getting it--and I hear from a cousin there that they need it--while we got a little shower further south.
Update (9-5): The remnants of Lee are heading east. We haven't gotten much rain; the west coast of Florida is getting more. It's supposed to be windier here the next couple days.
Update: Wind and rain from Lee's remnants are moving closer to Florida out of the Gulf now. The surf and riptides are rough. Don't ignore those red flags on the beach!
Update(9-6): It's actually a combination of Lee's remnants and a cold front that has given us some rain. I didn't notice any wind.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Tropical Storm Lee
Meanwhile Katia is still a category 1 hurricane and probably won't make it to a cat 3 after all, and it's heading west, but it's too early to tell where it'll make landfall.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Design Star
I have friends who have a really cool bunk bed set, btw. The bottom bed is a double; there's a small stairway instead of a ladder at one end and plenty of storage space at the other end of the bed. The set has drawers and doors. If the designer had found something similar (plus the lockers), she would have aced that challenge.
I think she thought that the kid really wanted a cool hideaway; however, kids also have friends over to spend the night, and they can make their own hideaways with blankets...
Check out the Design Star webpage: HGTV Design Star : Home & Garden Television
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Tropical Storm Katia
Update (8-31): Still not a hurricane, but still expected t0 become a category 3. The spaghetti models mostly agree and have it turning north.
Note: I read in today's paper that on August 31, 1967, a Hurricane Katrina produced a storm surge in Mexico, leaving 1200 people homeless; however, the name was not retired (a controversial decision). If it had been retired, Hurricane Katia would have devastated New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.
Update (9-1): Katia is still a tropical storm, though apparently she was a hurricane briefly while I wasn't looking.
Another note (from a TV weatherman): Lee, who may be forming in the Gulf, was the name of the hurricane after Katrina.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Tropical Storm Jose
Update: Jose brushed Bermuda and moved away into the ocean.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Hidebound is now available on Kindle
Monday, August 22, 2011
Hurricane Irene
Update (8-23): Irene is now a category 2 hurricane and the models have shifted even further east. It looks as if it's going to miss the peninsula.
Update: Irene is now a cat 1 and still heading WNW, though the models show it going up the east coast.
Update (8-24): Irene is now a cat 3 (yes, I'm running late) and is expected to become a cat 4. It's moving NW and skirting the east coast; that can change in either direction.
Update (8-25): Irene is still a category 3, and we're getting some rain and a little wind from its rotating rain bands as it heads by and away from us and up the east coast. South Florida got a lot more rain.
Update (8-26): Irene is now a cat 2 and should be a cat 1 when it makes landfall.
Update (8-27): Irene is a category 1 and still moving more or less north (NNE); I think it's one of the hurricanes that was pretty predictable, but I see that a lot of people are stuck in airports for a while. Here on the news our local power company trucks are beginning to head north to help restore power to the northeast.
Update: Irene moved on into Canada eventually, and after the cleanup in the East, a lot of bridges will need to be rebuilt.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Tropical Storm Irene
For NOAA updates: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at4+shtml/085713.shtml?5-daynl
(Thanks for the heads up, Lloyd.)
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Having fun in fall
Friday, August 19, 2011
Tropical Storm Harvey
Link: Atlantic Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook
Update (8-20): Harvey is making landfall at Belize.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Tropical Storms Franklin and Gert
Update (8-15): TS Gert is heading NNE and should miss Bermuda and then dissipate.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Decorating ideas
There are some kitchen and home makeovers in this issue too; and the Real Estate Sampler focuses on historic fixer-uppers.
Sparkle note: If you drag a treat from the box, and click on it again, Sparkle will jump up and catch it!
Friday, August 12, 2011
The New Book Review (link)
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Chrome Yellow (link)
Monday, August 8, 2011
Design Star
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Rescuing the Future: A Naomi Kinder Novel
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Remodeling: Buying and Updating a Foreclosure

Eclectic design--or mix and match
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Global design suggestions (link)
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Laminate flooring choices (link)
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Hurricane names for 2011
Bret
Cindy
Don
Emily
Franklin
Gert
Harvey
Irene
Jose
Katia
Lee
Maria
Nate
Ophelia
Philippe
Rina
Sean
Tammy
Vince
Whitney
"Experience shows that the use of short, distinctive given names in written as well as spoken communications is quicker and less subject to error than the older more cumbersome latitude-longitude identification methods. These advantages are especially important in exchanging detailed storm information between hundreds of widely scattered stations, coastal bases, and ships at sea.
Since 1953, Atlantic tropical storms have been named from lists originated by the National Hurricane Center. They are now maintained and updated by an international committee of the World Meteorological Organization. The original name lists featured only women's names. In 1979, men's names were introduced and they alternate with the women's names. Six lists are used in rotation. Thus, the 2009 list will be used again in 2015. Here is more information about the history of naming hurricanes. "
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Home entertaining and helping your neighbor ideas
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Press release for Remodeling: Buying and Updating a Foreclosure
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Water saving products (link)
Some of them even tempted me, who will use a an appliance or product until it needs to be replaced. (I shake my head sorrowfully when watching a home show where people complain and whine about the stove and fridge being outdated. I have better things to do with my money!) However, I especially liked the faucet that lets you choose from two different amounts of water. I'm still annoyed that I can't do that with my GE infusor washing machine. And check out the stealth toilet!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Remodeling: Buying and Updating a Foreclosure

Monday, July 11, 2011
Flooring choices (link)
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
Magistria: The Realm of the Sorcerer

Thursday, July 7, 2011
Aliens, Animals, and Adventure

Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Sugar Time

Description: Three complete stories: “Sugar Time,” “Flight Test,” and “Return to Neander.” Maxwell Sweet, along with two professors, have been conducting secret experiments in an old Victorian mansion outside Galveston, Texas. However, the two professors have vanished and Maxwell Sweet has fallen ill. Now, it’s up to Sweet’s tough-as-nails niece to find out what happened to the project — a working time machine. Sugar Time is an audio time travel adventure featuring a full cast, music and sound effects.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Why Won't Anyone Play with Me?

Why Won't Anyone Play with Me?
For young children, there’s my picture book, Why Won’t Anyone Play with Me? Why doesn’t anyone want to play with Kallie Kitten? Why do they jump into the pond or hide? Will anyone ever talk to her? Will this frisky little kitten learn to play their games?
Illustrator Andrea Gradidge was originally from the UK and now resides in British Columbia, Canada. She has illustrated various chapbooks and e-zines and also my story, “Sammy’s Beautiful Tail.”
Children should enjoy the animals in this colorful picture book and the critters they, or their parents, can cut out at the end. It is available online at Barnes & Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/results.asp?WRD=Why+Won%27t+Anyone+Play+with+Me%3F&r=1
Friday, July 1, 2011
Writing news update
Building a Cool House for Hot Times without Scorching the Pocketbook is my non-fiction primer for home building. The new editon has color photos; the ISBN on that edition is: 978-1-60749-562-8 It covers the building process and includes diary excerpts, photos, and advice from planning to punch list and beyond. You can order it from the publisher:
Friday, June 24, 2011
Compost bins
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Colorful paint color choices
Sparkle note: If you drag a treat from the box, and click on it again, Sparkle will jump up and catch it!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Open houses
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Watering your lawns and gardens (link)
Friday, June 10, 2011
Innovative bookcases (link)
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Buying our house: Report #18
We got two pallets of sod last Friday, June 3, (St. Augustine, though I'd have preferred Bahia, but apparently Bahia doesn't do as well in our shaded areas) and we've been watering it ever since! We've had more work done on our sprinkler system because we still have damaged sprinklers, and we found water gushing from a broken pipe. That happened behind a big oak tree, which is why we didn't notice it sooner. The water runs down along one of the newly-sodded areas, so it's not completely wasted, but we are using a lot of water! City water. It's not like when we had a well.
So, we have more mulch coming and more work to be done on the sprinkler system, but I think we're almost finished--except for buying more plants, ground cover (perennial peanuts are good for that, we've discovered), and hardscape. However, the remodeling is done, and we're enjoying our new home so I decided it was time to have our Open House. Sunday, June 5, looked to be the best time for that so I sent out the invitations and bought sandwiches, snacks, desserts, and soda and sherbet for my mother's famous sherbet punch. (Just mix 7-Up, ginger ale, and/or lemon/slime soda with lime sherbet--or make your own concoction.) Everyone loves it. We were kept busy restocking the punch bowl, answering the door, introducing people, talking to everyone, etc. Now we have lots of sandwiches and snacks left over 'cause I never want to run out. But we won't have to cook for days! Signing off and loving our new home!!!
Oh, I do want to thank the people who helped us sell our old home, buy our new home, pack, move, and help us with the remodelling projects and the interior design projects: our realtors: Shawn & Dee McDonough; Bruce & Judy C; Mike Hickman, our remodeling contractor & his crews; Tammy J, the coordinator; Bob & Cheryl K (Bob worked on our wiring puzzles and sprinkler system, among other things); Mina S; Vicki B; Bobbie A; Cindy D; Gerry H; Peggy W; Larry S; and Hubert and Kenny. We appreciate you all!!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Remodeling project suggestions (link)
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Living room design ideas (link)
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Shelving and storage ideas (link)
Sparkle note: If you drag a treat from the box, and click on it again, Sparkle will jump up and catch it!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Office design ideas (link)
Home Office Storage From Designers' Portfolio : Rooms : Home & Garden Television
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Suggestions for prepping your home before putting it on the market (link)
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Home and garden ideas
Friday, May 20, 2011
Fireplace design ideas (link)
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Patio ideas (link)
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Buying our house: Report #17
After doing errands the other day, we got home to find the plumber's truck in the driveway,. He was here to do one of the two last remodelling projects, which was to replace the dryer vent hose. After he left, two guys came to measure the office window sash again 'cause it doesn't fit. We should get a new one in a week or two. Then we're all done with them, and we'll focus on landscaping and a few other things. The location and acreage (a lot less) is good, but the land is challenging; and we need to take pix of the bare strip where the new drain line is. That will help in the future when you need to know where the lines are. 'Course we've got so many irrigation lines. Between them and the tree roots, it's hard to plant...
I was expecting we would be bored on this little property--compared to our five acres at our old home. We're getting lots of hardscape at Lowe's and, of course, plants from everywhere, including the Farmer's Market. And we'll have to mark all the sprinkler heads before the sod is laid. We're planning to get one or two pallets of sod from our yard man. We're getting our mulch from him, and we're working on the second load he dumped in the corner of our driveway; he also hauled in and spread dirt for a number of big holes and ruts.
We've certainly upgraded the house--but we don't have stainless steel appliances, a gas range, and other things that we should have, according to some designers. We watched Bang for Your Buck on HGTV recently, in which several kitchens were remodelled--three for $90,000 each and three for $50,000 each. Then the kitchens and owners are critiqued--often for not being trendy or spending more money on higher end upgrades. Americans are encouraged to be wasteful!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Window treatments (link)
Some good suggestions here, but I confess that our new house came with blinds in all the rooms except one, and I used curtains forom our old house for that room. Except for the kitchen window bliinds, all the blinds are vertical, and the dogs have a good time pushing through them.
Sparkle note: If you drag a treat from the box, and click on it again, Sparkle will jump up and catch it!
Friday, May 13, 2011
Regatta (May's color of the month)
One description: "This color makes me think of desert skies, Caribbean water and delphinium blossoms. The shade suggests serenity in an age of tumult."
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Kitchen storage (link)
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Buying our house: Report #16
No, we weren't quite done. Usually the painters and the cleaners are the last ones to finish up, but we still had a hole in the laundry room ceiling from when the dryer vent was changed from the attic to an outside wall, so the drywall crew had to come back and patch that on Tuesday, May 3; then the painter came back Thursday to paint that and decided that the kitchen walls needed another coat so he ordered more paint and had another painting crew take care of that. (We now have lots of Compatible Cream.) And after that Tim came back to finish adding the remaining cabinet pieces--a door and four skins.
But on Friday we knew that we were almost done because the building inspector came and approved the house, and then we gave the contractor, Mike Hickman, of Hickman Homes, the final payment. We're done!!
Well, almost completely done. Larry returned to rehang the kitchen blinds and put up our old spice cabinet. We shelved the spices, and that took care of the last box that needed to be unpacked! And, of course, we had to change the two AC filters again; they were clogged! (We have two zones.) Having the house to ourselves is so nice, though the plumber has to make a fix, and a window sash needs to be replaced. And we continue to landscape. But we have a beautiful home, and we appreciate everyone who contributed to that.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Landscape ideas (link)
Sunday, May 1, 2011
How organized are you? (quiz link)
Friday, April 29, 2011
Buying our house: Report #15
Our new windows--entire house for a total of 24 windows--were installed Monday through Wednesday, and Larry, who has helped us with so much from the beginning when we moved in, removed and hung blinds back up as the window crew worked their way around the house. And when the crew left early (chance of rain, and they didn't want those huge gaping holes in the house in case it did), Larry covered the rooms on the south side of the house with his drop cloths and our sheets so we didn't have to slink through the house. (The house is very close to the road and sidewalk.)
Our friends, Bob and Cheryl, bought two paint samples from Sherwin Williams Wednesday, and Bob started painting the kitchen walls so we could make a color choice; then he went home and brought over two paint samples from his collection. The kitchen walls are covered with four different paint colors now. The colors are Jersey Cream, Compatible Cream, Blonde, and Sand 3. We think (lots of input from visitors) that we're going for Compatible Cream. (Hmm. Is it too dark?) No, that is it. The painter is coming Saturday, though there are a few more things that need to be finished. The dry wall crew didn't come today to patch one last hole left when the dryer hose was rerouted from the attic to an outside wall. And the remaining pieces of our cabinets (a door and four "skins") didn't come from the supplier.
Today (Friday), the plumber installed grab bars and a faucet in the bathrooms. Bob installed new fluorescent lights under the kitchen cabinets because the old lights didn't fit the new cabinets. Cabinets are apparently smaller these days, and the microwave sticks out, which surprised me, but a friend said that her daughter had to order their cabinets deeper so that wouldn't happen. No one told me that!
Tonight a new neighbor brought over a beautiful, big hydrangea plant (blue) as a housewarming gift. Wow! One of my favorite plants--and so impressive! I love our new house and the neighbors and our friends and my kitchen and... Thanks to everyone who has helped us!!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Buying our house: Report #14
Wednesday, April 20, the dry wall crew was here all day.; they were in the kitchen--and briefly in a bedroom to patch a hole in the ceiling where a light fixture had been--all day--from early to about 6. We had to drink warm water from the bathroom. (We have cold water in the fridge, but everything in the kitchen was covered with plastic.) And Blizzrd chewed up stuff in my bedroom 'cause she was in it so long, so I crated her after that.
AND that day we got an e-mail from the contractor's coordinator, who said that the granite slab had come in, but it didn't look like the sample we'd chosen, and Tim of Forestwood Design (the cabinet and countertop sub-contractor) wanted us to come choose another sample. (He e-mailed us a photo of the slab; it had rusty looking streaks in it; it wasn't at all what we'd wanted so I'm glad he queried us.) His store is far south, and we didn't have time and the house was full of guys till forever so we asked him to bring some samples. 'Course samples are big and heavy and there are lots to choose from, so he threw a few that he thought we might like (from our choices earlier) in his truck, and he and his son brought them over. When they got here, our friends, Bob and Cheryl had stopped by, and Bob caught a problem in the kitchen (hardware not removed from the windows). A guy had queried me about it, but I said I didn't know what to do about it and since the window guys would be working there, to let it go. Well, Bob went to the hardware store nearby (we didn't have what he needed), got a tool, used our chisel and hammer and climbed up and took them down so the dry wall guys could clean up that area. The kitchen looks a lot better now! It was rough from where the tiles were and full of holes on the walls and ceiling. Anyway, Cheryl joined us in choosing the granite. I wanted something light, but what we all agreed on was a darker sample that goes better with the cabinets. Cheryl said that of all the granite countertops she has--and she has lots!--she disliked the light ones the most 'cause they showed stains more. Good point.
We also had our own plumber replace an outside faucet and a shower head that day.
Thursday, the 21st, a carpenter put in a new threshold and ripped off the old door frame to do it. The old frame was tighter. (I can see sunlight when the garage door is open.) The drywall crew picked up all the stuff they left yesterday. And Tim came by and dropped off a new counter sample for the utility room. The one we chose isn't available. And we got a new schedule. The kitchen appliances will be delivered Friday and wait in the garage. The countertop won't come until Wednesday; the aplliances will be installed after that, along with some other stuff, and the painter comes the 30th when everyone else is done.
Quotes from friends:
You’re practically rebuilding the house! (G)
Did you get anything you chose? (M) I'd have to check.
Lots of trials, but you’ll manage and all this effort will be a dim memory. (G, who also supported me during the building of our last house.)